XN000022-1995-11-29 — Page 56

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Plan to extend the use of Community Service Order

Following is a question by the Hon James To Kun-sun and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Last year, an official of the Social Welfare Department stated publicly that it was planning to extend the scope of Community Service Orders so that they could apply to District Court cases as a form of correctional measure. However, this plan has yet to be implemented. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether there is a specific timetable for the implementation of the plan; if not, what are the reasons; and

(b) whether it has estimated the resources required for the implementation of the plan; if so, what is the estimated amount required?

Reply:

A Community Service Order (CSO) is a form of sentence provided in the Community Service Orders Ordinance (Cap. 378). The order aims at being both punitive and rehabilitative. Under the order, an offender is required to perform unpaid work of benefit to the community under the supervision of a probation officer who also provides rehabilitative counselling and guidance to the offender. Through community service and guidance from the probation officer, the aim is to encourage the offender to gain a more constructive outlook on life and an enriched sense of self- worth. If this is achieved, the offender should be much less inclined to commit further crimes in the future.

The CSO Scheme was introduced in 1987 on a pilot basis and was extended to all magistrate courts in 1992. So far, about 2,200 offenders have served CSO's and about 90% completed them satisfactorily. In view of the value of the CSO Scheme, we intend to extend its use to the District Courts in 1997-98, subject to the availability of resources. The extension would cost about $1.9 million per year (at 1995-96 prices).

End/Wednesday, November 29, 1995